Rotary gas engine



June l5 1926'.

W. S. SULLIVAN ROTARY GAS ENGINE Filed Nov. 14, 1924 y 3 Sheets-Sheet ll m, n

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June l5 1926.

w. s. SULLIVAN ROTARY GAS ENGINE Filed Nov. 14, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Aulll Ilia/n JT Juli/ala mi nu,

June 15 1926. 1,588,632

w. s. SULLIVAN ROTARY GAS ENGINE Filed Nov. 14, 1924 3 Sheets'A-Sheet 3gwmmtoz y Mil/al1 y @Roz/mfg Patented June 15, 1926.v

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFmE.

ROTARY GAS ENGINE.

Application 'led November 14, 1924. Serial No. 749,901.

The invention relates to rotary gas engines, and has as an object theprovision of a gas engine or an internal combustion engine of this typewhich shall have a minimum of moving parts.

Al further object of the invention is the provision of a motor of thistype whichshall operate without valves.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel coolingmeans for an engine of the type involved.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a motor whichshall have an extremely simple and eflicient provision for igniting theexplosive charge.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a motor whichreadil lends itself to duplication upon a single siaft.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a motor with whichit is possible to apply the Diesel principle of automatic ignition.

Still further objects of the invention are tbe provision of a motorwhich shall be cheap to produce and little likely to get out of order.

Further objects of the invention will appear fromrthe followingdescription when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, inwhich Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the shaft in section.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical 2, 2 o 1.

Fig. 3 is a ace view of the stator.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the rotor from the side opposite theshowing of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5' and 6 are detail sections through the i nition apparatus, Fig.6 showing -a modi cation for application of the Diesel principle.-

Fig. 7 is a face view of the rotorremoved romthe stator, the shaft shownin section.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line f8, 8 of Fig. 2 showing the rotorremoved from the stator, I

Fig. 9 is a side elevation on a reduced scale showing two of the devicesplaced in tandem upona sin le shaft, and

Fig. 10 is a detai section on line 10-10 of Fig. 8 showing the openingfrom an expansion chamber u on an enlarged scale.

As shown, the evice comprises a stator 10 and a rotor 11. The statorcomprises a section on line base 12 and a vertical plate-like member13,l

desirably providedl with bracing abutments 14 cast integral with theplate and with the base.

To make a tight 'oint with the rotor the stator is desirably ormed withan annular flange 15 within which the rotor fits, and to further assistin preventing leakage the stator is shown as formed with a series ofring grooves 16, wherein rings 16', in the nature of plston rings areplaced.

To further assist in preventing leakage` the f a'ce of the plate 13 isformed with grooves which are in the nature of enlargements of ortionsof the piston ring grooves, into whic grooves annular projections upontlzie rotor seat. These grooves are shown at 1 f Thev rotor comprises anannular member having a plurality of air channels 18, 18', 19, 19', 20,20', formed in its body and closed at their edgesnby walls 58, 59, withone or more explosion chambers, two being shown, as 21 and 22. A singleexplosion chamber could be used, or anumber larger than two, thedesirable number being determined to some extent by the dimensions ofthe motor.

The wall 23 having the openings 53 there- A in will be understood asforming a series of wide spokes for the. support of thel annular memberof the rotor upon the shaft 24; and the size of the openings 53 may bewhatever desired to provide the requisite amount of escape of air fromthe cooling 'chambers 20, 20'.

' The action of the motor depends upon the escape of gases underpressure from the explosion chambers 21 and 22, through the outlets ornozzles 25, 26. These nozzles areshown as slits occupying a positionparallel with the axis ofthe shaft 24., and discharge into a channel 27to exhaust ports 28, 29, which are provided in number to equal thenumber of the explosion chambers. Ifthe explosion be allowed to takeplace with the nozzles full open the impulse would be uneven incharacter, beinga series of pushes rather than a steady push, as isdesirable.

To graduate the escape of the gases, cuto plates 30, 31, are showncarried by and projecting from the stator and standing in thel channel27. When the nozzles 25, 26 stand opposite the full portion of thecutplates and thereby be opened.

To provide for a gradual opening of the nozzles, the cut-oft plates areshown as tapered at 32, 33, either upon a straight line or upon anydesirable curve, according to the character of the impulse desired. Thusthel escape of gases at their greatest pressure will have a minimum ofthe nozzle from which to escape, and as the Vpressure lowers the size ofopening of the nozzle will increase, whereby to keep the reactiveimpulse of the` gases substantially uniform throughout.

Except for the desirability of equaling the impulse and the desirabilityof holding the pressure Within the explosion chamber until thecombustion is completed, the cut-off plates 30, 31 might be omitted, andthe entire channel 27 might be treated as an exhaust port. l

To admit an explosive charge to the explosion chambers intake ports 34,35 are shown. To these intake ports when the motor is in service, anexplosive mixture ot' fuel and air under considerable pressure will besupplied by means of conduits 36, 37. The compression of the fuel willbe carried out in a separate device (not shown) enging of the chamberand for a slight amount of cooling thereof. As the chamber passes theintake port a charge of compressed gaseous fuel is introduced into it,and in the continued revolution of the rotor, the side of the chamberwhich is closed only by the face of the stator, comes opposite a sparkplug 38 or 39, which will be caused to produce a spark at the desiredtime by a timer of conventional form, not shown, which may be operatedfrom the shaft 24,

At the time of the explosion, the chambers 21, 22, being completelyclosed, the combustion will be allowed to become complete before escapeof the pressure is allowed to take place, as already described. Ifdesired,l

exhaust conduits 40, 41 may be provided for the exhaust ports.

To cool the motor there are shown air intake ports 42, 43, for the airchannel 1S, 18',

To direct air into these ports during,

the revolution of the rotor, cups 48 are shown projecting from the rotorand standing over the inlet ports whereby during the rapid rotation ofthe rotor a blast of air will be caused to enter the inlet ports.

At the opposite end of each of the chan-y nels mentioned there is shownan outlet port for heated air from the channels mentioned, such outletsbeing shown at 49, 50, 51, 52. The outlets of the channels 20, 20 arethrough outlet interior of the rotor, from which the air may escapethrough openings 53 in the form shown, or between spokes if a spokedform of rotor be adopted.

The air pressuregenerated by the cups 4S may be assisted if desired by ararefaction at the outlet ports 49-52 by cups arranged with their opensides rearwardly directed, so as to produce a rarefaction in theirinteriors.

To improve the efficiency of the cooling action fins 54 are shown uponthe exterior of the walls of the explosion chamber within the coolingair channels, and the inlets to the channels are arranged `so that the'entering blastof air will impinge upon these fins. Additional tins areshown at 55 upon the circumference of the rotor, and at 56, 57 on th-ecylindrical surfaces lof the Walls separating the air channels from theexhaust passage. 4 l

To provide for lubrication of the frictional surfaces, oil ducts 60 areshown in the plate ot' the stator and coacting ducts 61 extendingperpendicularly thereto to the face of the stator whereby to transmitlubricantto the frictional surfaces between the stator and the rotor. Inaddition there is indicated a duct 62 passing into each nozzle cut-offs30 and 31 and ducts 63, placing the ducts 62 in communication with thesurfaces of the cutoff plates. i

To utilize the Diesel principletthe arrangement of Fig. 6 may beutilized, wherein a fuel jet (34 is shown to which fuel may be suppliedas by means of a pipe 65. VVheu the jet 64 is to be used it will occupythe position of the spark plug 38. lVith this arrangement air underpressure sufficient to cause ignition of a charge will be introduced bymeans of the conduits 36, 37. After the' llO air has been thus-admittedand the rotor has moved from the intake ports 34, 35 suf ficiently toclose the explosion chamber, the chamber will come opposite the fuel jet64 and a supply ofliquid fuel under high pressure will be injected intothe chamherin the manner usual with Diesel engines. Combustion willimmediately take place, due to the heat generated by the pressure. Therotor face seals the injector except when same is opposite the explosionchamber To hold the rotor in its relation to the stator a nut 66 isshown threaded to shaft 24', and a thrust bearing 67 is provided, actingbetween the nut and the shoulder 68 u on vof motors may be applied to asingle shaft 24, the successive statois acting as journals for theshaft. l

The operation 'of the device will be apparent from the abovedescription. Minor changes ma be made inthe physical embodiment o Atheinvention without departing from its spirit. .s

claim:

l. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a. rotor mounted torevolve closely adjacent. said face of said stator and provided with acombustion chamber having a reactance nozzle outlet, means carried bythe stator to conduct lfuel to said chamber.

Q. .A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a shaft journaled in saidVstator upon the axis thereof, a rotor carried by said shaft to revolveclosely adjacent said face of said stator and provided with a combustionchamber having a reactance nozzle outlet, and means to conduct fuel to`said ucombustion chamber.

3. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator liavingaface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a shaft journalcd in `saidstator upon the axis thereof,

a rotor carried by said shaft.` to revolve closely adjacent said face ofsaid'stator and 'provided with a combustion chamber having a reactancenozzle outlet, and means carf ried by the stator, to conduct fuel to thecombustion chamber. 1-

4. A rotary gas engine power plant comprising, in combination, aplurality of stators each having a face substantially perpendicuar .toits axis, a shaft journa ed in said stators upon their axes, apluralityof rotors mount-ed on said shaft, one to revolve closely adjacent said lface of each stator, each rotor provided with a combustionchamber having a reactance nozzle outlet, means to conduct fuel to eachchamber.

5. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, an open fuel supply portand an open exhaustport in said face, a rotor mounted to revolve closelyadjacent said face of said stator and having a Wall normally closingsaid ports, a combustion chamber opening through said wall and anannular exhaust chamber provided with a port opening throughv saidivall, said openings adapted to revolve past saidrespective ports, andmeans to conduct fuel to 'said fuel port.

6. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted to revolveclosely adjacent said face -of said.

Astator and provided with a combustion chamber, having a reactancenozzleoutlet,

means to provide a gradual opening of said. nozzle upon rotation of therotor, and meansV to conduct fuel to said combustion chamber.

7. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted to revolveclosely adjacent said face of said stator and provided with a combustionchainber having a reactance nozzle outlet, means carried by the statorto provide. a gradual opening of said nozzle upon rotation of the rotor,and means to conduct fuel to said combustion chamber.

8. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination', a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted tolrevolve closely ladjacent saidface of -said stator, and having acombustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzleloutlet and anannular channel into which said nozzle opens, and stationary meansstanding in said channel to close the nozzle`dnng the combustion period.s

9. A rotary gas engine comprising, in coina reactance nozzle outlet andan annular lchannel into which said nozzle opens, and stationary meanscarried by the stator standingin said channel to close'the nozzle duringcombination, a stator, a rotorm'ounted to re-` volve closely adjacent aIside of said stator,

having a combustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outletandanannular chamber into which said nozzle opens, a rib carried by saidstator standing in said channel and adapted to close said nozzle duringa `portion of the revolution of the rotor, one end of said rib beveledto provide a gradual opening of said nozzle, and' means ca'rried by thestator to conduct fuel to said combustion chamber.

11. A rotary gas' engine comprising, in combination, a stator, a rotormounted to revolve closely adjacent a side of said stator, having acombustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet and anannular chamber into which said nozzle opens, a rib carried by saidstator standing in said channel and adapted to close said nozzle duringa portion of the revolution of the rotor, one end of said ribbeveled toprovide a gradual opening of said nozzle, said annular chain- -berhaving an exhaust port, and means carcombination, an annular rotorhaving a combustion chamber provided with a reactance 7 nozzle outletand an opening in a face substantially perpendicular to the axisthereof, stationary means adapted to close Said nozzle during a portionof the revolution, means standing closely adjacent one side of saidrotor adapted to close said opening and having means openingtherethrough to deliver fuel into said combustion chamber duringrevolution of the rotor, the time of introduction of the fuel beingslightly in advance of the closing-of said outlet to provide forscavenging, and means to ignite the charge ot' fuel in the combustionchamber.

14. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, an annular rotorhaving a combustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet,said chamber having an open side in a. faceof the rotor substantiallyperpendicular to its axis, means standing closely adjacent said face tonormally close the opening, a fuel supply port in said means incircumferential alinement with said opening, and ignition means spacedfrom said port projecting through said closing means' in circumferentialalinement with said opening whereby upon revolution of the rotor fuelmay be fed to the combustion chamber through said port and later beignited by said ignition means. f

15. A rotary gas engine comprising, 1n combination, a rotorhaving acombustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet, an annularexpansion chamber into which said outlet opens, a substantially annularair chamber interrupted by the walls of said combustion chamber, and anair port for admitting cooling air `to said channels, whereby to coolthe Walls of the combustion chamber.

16. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a rotor having acombustion chamber provided with areactance nozzle outlet, asubstantially annularv air channel interrupted by the walls of saidchamber, and an air port admitting cooling air to said channel closelyadjacent a Wall of said chamber, 'whereby to effect the cooling of theWall.

17. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a rotor providedWith a combusti'on chamber having av reactance nozzle outlet, an annularexpansion chamber into which said outlet opens and a substantiallyannular air channel interrupted by a wall of the combustion chamber,said air channel having an inlet opening adjacent said Wall, meanscarried by the exterior of the rotor for directing air into said openingduring rotation of the rotor, whereby to cool the walls of saidchambers.

18. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator,` having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted to revolveclosely adjacent said face thereof, and having a combustion chamberprovided with a reactance nozzle outlet, said chamber having an openingnormally closed by the wall of the stator, means to preserve a tightjoint at each side of the travel of said opening, a fuel supply port insaid stator, in circumferential alinement with said opening, andignition means carried by the stator vspaced brom said port and also incircui'nferential alinement with said opening.

19. A rotary gas engine comprising, in eombii'iation, a rotor providedWith va combustion chamber having a reactance nozzle outlet, an annularexpansion chamber into which said outlet opens and a substantiallyannular air channel interrupted by a Wall ot' the con'ibustion chamber,said air channel having an inlet opening' adjacent said Wall and anoutlet opening, means carried by the exterior of the rotor for directingair into said inlet opening during rotationy of the rotor, and meanscarried by the rotor to produce rarefaction of air at the outlet of saidair channel, whereby to cool the Walls of said chambers.

20. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a rotor having acombustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet, said rotoralso having an annular expansion chamber and a substantially annularcooling medium channel, said vchamber and channel having a common Wall,means to supply cooling medium to said channel to cool the said Wall ofsaid chamber, and means to supply fuel to said combustion chamber.

21. A rotary gas' engine comprising, in combina-tion, an annular rotorhaving a combustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outletopening substantially tangential to a wall of the annular rotor, saidrotor also having a substantially annular channel for cooling medium,and means to supply a cooling medium to said channel into contact withthe Walls of the -wcombustion chamber and nozzle.

22. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having aface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted` torevolve closely adjacent said face of said stator aud-having acombustion chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet, means to suply fuel to said combustion chamber, an means to supply lubricant to theopposed surfaces of stator and rotor.l v

23. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, a stator having a`face substantially perpendicular to its axis, a rotor mounted torevolve closely adjacent said face of said stator, having a combustion`chamber provided with a reactance nozzle outlet and an annular expansionchamber, a rib carried by the stator standing in said expansion chamberto close Vsaid nozzle during a portion of the revolution of the rotor,and means to supply lubricant to the surfaceof said rib.

24. A rotary gas engine comprising, in combination, an annular rotorhaving a plurality of expansion chambers, each having van inlet openingat aside substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotor and areactance nozzle outlet, means standing closely adjacent to said side ofthe rotor to close said openingsz and fuel conducting means, carried bysaid; first-named means to conduct fuel 'under pressure to said openingsduring their passage upon revolution of the rotor.

WILLIAM S. SULLIVAN.

